North Dakota Age Verification Law

Under North Dakota’s law, websites with over one-third of content deemed “harmful to minors” must implement an age verification process with acceptable methods, such as government-issued IDs, secure third-party verification services, or biometric tools that meet privacy standards. That means age gates, or simple “click to enter” checkboxes, are not allowed since they are easily bypassed by users who are not of legal age.  

For example, iDenfy offers automated document checks, biometric verification, and fraud prevention tools, ensuring accurate age confirmation and regulatory compliance with state laws like North Dakota’s age verification regulation.

Examples of sites that have to integrate age verification as per the North Dakota law include:

• Social media platforms (that are hosting or promoting explicit/user-generated content)
• Adult platforms (where pornographic content is used) 
• International and domestic entities (any company that provides access to adult content)
• ISPs and hosting providers (they face scrutiny if they enable access to adult sites)
• Other user-generated content platforms (for instance, video or livestream content sites, forums, etc.)

Lawmakers are urging platforms to meet the same standards expected in physical retail settings, which has sparked debate and negative feelings about restricting access to adult-only websites using tools like asking for an ID document. As a result, some sites with pornographic material have disabled access for users from North Dakota and other states where age verification laws are imposed. 

Additionally, critics say that such measures are linked to free speech restrictions and privacy concerns.

While the North Dakota age verification law is similar to previously established frameworks (for instance, Utah or Texas), it has some differences. It’s less strict compared to Texas, but still sets clear expectations. For example, its 33% content threshold means only platforms where a substantial portion of the material is adult content must comply. In the meantime, Utah requires both age verification and digital parental consent solutions.

Yes. iDenfy’s scalable compliance framework adapts to multiple state and international regulations, making it ideal for age-restricted service providers facing varied legal requirements. In general, iDenfy provides real-time identity verification and age verification technology that allows websites to confirm users’ ages before granting access. 

This also includes special APIs and no-code solutions, like ID and age verification for Shopify merchants. By integrating iDenfy, businesses can remain compliant while offering a seamless user experience.